School Lunch

Our school district provides free breakfast and lunch to all students every school day. This hasn't changed with the stay-at-home order. Anyone can drive up to the school during specific hours and pick up meals for any number of kids in their household. We didn't participate at first, but lately we've been going more often. It's a nice walk to and from the school. The kids mostly want it for the "breakfast" parts (sugar cereal, frudel, pop tart, french toast sticks, chocolate chip muffin) and the chocolate milk and the juice. No surprise there! I mostly like it because it makes lunch a ton easier on me, even if I'm swapping out the school's veggies and fruits for things the kids like better. Nothing gets wasted. If they don't eat it as part of their lunch or breakfast, I cook with it or serve it another way.

Anyway, the walk to get lunch is one of my favorite parts of our new routine. We get to be outside whatever the weather, pick up a surprise, and enjoy it together at home.

James is a very slow walker, while Matthew trots along beside me without a problem. When we bike, James is constantly darting ahead and waiting for us, excited for "hills" and intersections while Matthew is the one stopping and swerving and making it take foreeeeeeeeeeeever. Alice is a lovely walking companion. Her conversation is introspective, mature, inquisitive, and funny. She notices things and it's delightful to hear her perspective on them. Robert has yet to join us on these trips. The kid just can't abide the thought of hiking/walking/biking. He'll do it when forced, and actually enjoy himself most of the time, but he doesn't ever volunteer.

Here are Matthew and James on their bikes during one of these trips:

Note James way up ahead smiling at the top of the "hill" and Matthew down here, completely off his bike for some reason. Why? WHY?!